Metalcatto
Let’s return to the underground and pick up something unconventional, and by that I mean Arson Charge’s A Dying Light. Not every day do I get an album that sounds like a car crash between Thrash, Industrial, and even Nu-Metal. The real question is: are there any survivors of this massive collision? That’s what I’m here for—to take the bullets you’re too busy to take. Can this band impress us, or will it just make us scratch our heads? Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect just by looking at the artwork. Nothing wrong with it, but what does it make you feel? Maybe I don’t want to know. Let’s go!
Describing A Dying Light might seem simple at first, but there are details here and there that show the band actually thought through what they were doing—not always the case in underground Thrash or Punk. The tracks are short, blasting, and remind me of a less dramatic version of Black Sites, but without the commercial approach of something like CDC. Instead, this is grounded in dirty, concert-restroom energy, where you fight to survive in the pit just as much as you fight for another piece of toilet paper.
The production is loud and almost oppressive, leaning heavily into its industrial edge, but I get the sense this would absolutely slay live. The songs are easy to follow, some clocking in at under two minutes, throwing a cathartic wave at you before vanishing just as quickly. The vocals deserve credit too—they’re not just goat-in-heat noises, but actually intelligible enough to catch the anger behind them. The title track “A Dying Light” stands out for attempting something different, and while I wasn’t convinced at first, it proves the band can switch gears when needed.
I didn’t know musicians could experience joy.
That said, I do have reservations. The production’s machine-like intensity works, but I would’ve appreciated more dynamic range, especially in the softer parts. Arson Charge could also take more risks in the future; the talent is clearly here, so why not push further? Sticking to safe zones means landing in familiar territory, but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable. If anything, this album is fun—raw, unpolished fun.
So, there you have it: another strange album we’ve dragged from the sewers for you. Sure, it shows a band still evolving, but it’s also more eclectic than most. I’m certain this will find an audience, especially among those bored of me only reviewing the most pretentious Metal out there. A Dying Light feels like a breath of fresh air—if that fresh air came from a coal plant.
Label: Angry & Anxious
Release date: 3 October, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/arsoncharge
Country: USA
Score: 3.3/5.0
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